Time needed to consider 140 recommendations in Bryce Report

Geoff has been working for the QT since August 2011 covering Ipswich’s rural areas. He started working for APN in January 2010 with the Chinchilla News in western Queensland after growing up on a grain farm. Geoff spends his time out of work watching far too much sport following the Reds, the Broncos and various American teams.

POLITICAL and legal groups have welcomed a report calling to end domestic violence - but called for time to consider the 140 recommendations it made.

Former governor-general Dame Quentin Bryce delivered the 140 recommendations in the special report into domestic violence titled "Not now, not ever: Putting an End to Domestic and Family Violence".

The report called for a new criminal non-lethal strangulation charge, a specialist domestic violence court - which Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said "had merit".

Shadow Minister for Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services Tracy Davis said the opposition would review the report but welcomed the focus on reducing domestic violence.

"We look forward to reviewing the 140 recommendations within the report and thank the members of the Taskforce for their hard work in putting such a comprehensive document together," she said.

"There is simply no excuse for domestic and family violence and it should never be tolerated in our society."

Similarly Ms Palaszczuk said the government would consider the recommendations before announcing which ones would be supported.

"We will now examine the taskforce recommendations to determine how improved support can be provided to families and individuals experiencing violence," she said.

"The number of domestic violence incidents in Queensland is one of our state's great shames."

Queensland Bar Association president Shane Doyle welcomed the report, but said they needed to consider the recommendations before supporting them.

"This is an important step in addressing domestic and family violence," he said.

"As legal professionals we witness first-hand the effects of family and domestic violence in our community. It is vital that steps have been taken to evaluate and improve the systems currently in place to prevent this insidious form of violence and abuse."

"The Bar Association will be examining the recommendations closely in order to identify what we can do as a profession to improve responses to domestic and family violence."

Dame Quentin said the legal system needed to better serve domestic violence victims.

"Alarmingly, women frequently told us the workings of the law and justice system only served to further traumatise them," Dame Quentin said.

"Magistrates, police and lawyers need to do better."

The report also called for the Government to adopt a prevention strategy and introduce tougher penalties.

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, family or domestic violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000